Engine-starting apparatus



April 17, 1928.

- H. PENDER ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22. 1920 "Hill 3 vwcnto'n Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES HAROLD PENDEB, OI PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENGINE-STARTING APPARATUS.

Application filed January 22, 1820. Serial No. 853,328.

This invention relates to the starting of in-- ternal combustion engines. One object is to provide simple and ractical means for starting an engine of t e above type. Another object is to provide means of the above type of efiicient and dependable action. Other objects are to provide means of the above type which shall be'automatic and adapted efiectively to meet various contingencies arising in use. Qther objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of ele ments, and arrangement of parts, all as will be illustratively herein described and the scope of the application-of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a sectional plan taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus mounted in condition for use; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of electrical connections.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawing, there is shown at 10 a portion of an internal combustion engine, preferably the flywheel, provided with a gear 11 which may be if desired formed directly in the flywheel.

At 12 is shown a supporting member which preferably forms a portion of a casing extending about theflywheel' and engme and enclosing the lower portion of the engine.

In this casing an opening 13 is formed into which fits an annular projection or pilot 14 formed on the head of an electric starting motor 15. The motor is supported in any desired manner as by means of fitting its end within the flanged annular ring 16 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. The armature shaft 17 of motor is provided with a pinion 18 fast thereon and of course driven whenever the motor is in action. At this point reference is made to Figure 3 in which the motor 15 is provided with electrical connections 19 for connecting it with a battery 20 which may be a stora e battery mounted on the motor vehicle, T e connection is made as by the swinging switch member 21 shown in full lines in open-clrcuiting position and adapted to swing about its pivot into the position shown in dotted lines and thereby connect the motor with the battery. A spring 22 is connected between the switch arm and a point on the remote side of the switch pivot in such manner that it tends to hold the switch in either open or closed position alternatively and thus insures a full contact when thrown into its ciosing position, and an abrupt starting'of the motor.

Recurring to the mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, there is interposed between the gear 11 and pinion 18 a floating pinion 23. This pinion is provided with a short shaft to extend to each side of the pinion and form the trunnions 24. These trunnions respectively rest within similar slots in a fitting 25 secured to the head of the motor as by a number of screws 26. Fitting 25 is provided with a pair of s aced bearing plates 27 and 28, the entire tting being preferably cast integral and the plate 28 held in position as by the arms 29 1'0- vided with suitable stiffening ribs 30. he pinion 23 normally rests with its trunnions in the lower ends of the slots in which these trunnions have a circular bearing engagement as at 31. It is normally held by gravity in this position and it is to be understood that the preferred disposition of this apparatus is at the lower sector of the flywheel on the side of the wheel which descends in the regular order of rotation of the engine. The order of rotation of the several gears is indicated by the arrows. The pinion in this position is out of engagement with the gear 11 and is in. engagement with the pinion 18 but preferably out of pitch line relation; that is, only partially inter-meshed. The slots in. which these trunnions are mounted permit the pinion t0 rise so that its trunnions engage upper bearing surfaces 32, indentical in each slot and rounded to fit the trunnion surface and form a lowfriction bearing. In this position the pinion 23 is in exact pitch line meshed relation to both pinion 18 and gear 11. The lower osition of the pinion however shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, is its normal inactive position and it may be held there by gravity notwithstanding jarring. There are rovided, however, for use, if de sired, a pan of light springs 33 identical on both sides of the pinion and slightly overlapping the trunnions to render more secure the 'pinion remaining in itslowermost position.- They ofi'er, however, when the parts are actuated, a negligible resistance to a rising movement of the pinion.

There is also shown for use if desired a heavier s ring 34-. which may be duplicated on both sldes of the pinion and which curves over the trunnion as at 35 to be engaged by .the trunnion before it engages the bearing face 31 with substantially no resistance to a pinion 18, to bring it solidly against its bearupward movement and it is preferably so shaped including its trunnions as tobe symmetrical with respect to its central transverse-1,

teeth of the gear 11 at precisely such angular plane.

With the parts thus positioned, it is desired to start the engine, and assuming that the gear 11 is at rest, the circuit is closed from battery 20 to motor 15 by swinging over the switch the arm 21 which instantly completes a connection with the battery. The motor is immediately started under high speed and the engagement of its pinion with t e teeth of pinion 23 instantly exerts a lift- 4 ing force on the latter. The latter, it is to be noted, although free to rotate and preferably having a bearing with the friction re 'duced to a minimum, does not instantly rotate on account of its rotary inertia. feature is important and the action of the apparatus will in many respects be enhanced by the rotary inertia of the pinion 23 as by suitable shaping of its cross-section to bring its weight away from its axis. By this or other means it is given a high moment of inertia relative to its weight and, in the construction-shown, a considerably greater moment of inertia relative to its weight than that of the pinion 18. Before the pinion 23 can, due to its inertia, rotate at asubstantial speed, it has been given a strong lifting impulse from the pinion 18 which is ample to raise it into mesh with the teeth of gear 11 and upon further rotary tendency of the ing surface 32. In other words, when a sud- .den force is applied to a body, the resultant of which force is eccentric with respect to the center of gravity of the body, the latter has a tendency to movement which may be considered as comprising two components, first a motion of transition, and second a motion of rotation about its center of gravity. In this case the transitory component is utilized to give the Pinion a bodily movement and its slight rotary tendency facilitates its rolling into mesh with the gear 11.

The engagement with gear'll is cushioned by the s rings 34 if the latter be used, although the action by which the pinion 25 is rolled into mesh with the gear 11 is in a way gradual, and tends to reduce shock to a mimimum. It may be noted at this point that by the expression outwardly is meant the direction away from the axis of the member with respect to which it is used, and also that the term gear is used in a broad sense to comprehend not merely an element with a single set of gear teeth but an element of this nature in which more 'than one set may be provided. 7

It is to be understood that during the nor; mal actuation of the parts as above described, the trunnions 24 ride upwardly in their slots along the sides remote from the pinion 18 due partially to the outward thrust caused by the teeth of the latter. If however the teeth of the pinion .23 meet the relation as would prevent them from rolling into mesh, the trunnions are forced away from the straight surfaces 36 of the slots toward the opposite walls 37. The latter are recessed so as to permit a lateral movement of the trunnions within the slot at intermediate points, and in case of the above tendency to jam, the pinion merely rides out of its normal upward course to a slight extent away from'the flywheel gear, thus relieving this jamming tendency and rolling the teeth properly into mesh.

When the pinion as pinion 23 has reached its upward limit, the bodily movement is stopped and it immediately is driven in ordi nary rotation by the pinion 18, thus rotating the flywheel 10 and cranking the vengine. When the engine fires, there is a reverse pressure upon the adjacent teeth of the pinion 23 which in co-action with gravity and with the springs 34, if the latter be used, immediately throws the pinion to its lower-moi position. It is to be understood that generally speaking the rate of peripheral travel of the gear 11 will be greater than that of the gear 18 and hence there is a positive downward thrust on the pinion 23 even apart from its reluctance, due to its inertia, instantly to partake of a higher speed of rotation.

When the pinion 23 has been thus demeshed, even though the electric motor he maintained running at full speed, there will be no tendency to re-mesh the gears as pinion 23 is already running at full speed and hence its rotary inertia is not effective in causing it to lift again into mesh with the flywheet gear. This is of great value as compared with an arrangement in which friction is depended upon to throw the gearing into mesh. The friction would remain effective and tend to cause there-meshing of a mow ing flywheel gear. Furthermore, even though the motor 15 with its pinion and pinion 23 be brought to rest after the engine be started, and if then for any reason the electric motor is again started although it will tend to lift pinion 23 against the rotating fly wheel gear, nevertheless as inertia only is depended upon, the merest contact with the moving flywheel gear will apply a rotary force to the pinion not only from the part 18 but from the flywheel, and instantly negative the lifting tendency. This contact.

moreover, with the moving gear is not only slight but is evenly applied along the whole length of the contacting tooth and thus does no injury to either of the parts.

By the above method of control and actuation of parts, certain features are utilized which may be advantageously used by apparatus which difl'ers marked from that herein described.

The apparatus hereinbefore described is readily assembled and taken apart with reference to the engine and is securely held in the desired position .without necessity for adjustment. The electric motor with the parts mounted thereon may be of standard shape and form audit the opening 13 be properly positioned in the engine casing or like part, and the screws by which the motor is secured within-the flange 16 register with properly placed holes in the motor shell, then whenever the motor is simply slipped in place and the screws driven home, all parts are in the exact predetermined relation for best action. The motor with its gearing mounted thereon may be hooked into the opening 13 by a proper spacing as at 38 and thus these parts may be assembled as a unit for being inserted into the engine casing, and the flange member 16 may then be secured to the engine casing and to the motor.

It will thus be seen that there is provided apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and that it is well adapted to meet the conditions of the hardest practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the features of this invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In engine starting apparatus, in ('mnbination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear, and means mounting said third gear in a position normally in engagement with said second gear and out of engagement with said first gear and laterally ofi'set therefrom and shaped to permit bodily movement of said third gear and guide it laterally into mesh w th said first gear in a path non-concentric with said motor being driven in a predetermined direction.

2. In engine starting apparatus, in com bination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, an intermediate gear, and means mounting said intermediate gear in a position outwardly oflset from said first gear and partially internieshing with said second gear and adapted to guide it upon said motor being driven in a predetermined direction into full mesh with both said first and second ears.

3. In engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, an intermediate gear normally positioned with its axis at a distance from the axis of said second gear greater than the sum of the pitch-line radii of said gears and less than the sum of the extreme radii of said gears whereby their teeth are partially meshed in a radial direction, and meansmounting said third gear to guide it into full mesh with said first and second gears upon said motor being started in a predetermined direction.

4. In engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear outwardly offset I11 engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear outwardly oilset from said first gear and normally out of mesh with the same and in engagement with said second gear, means mounting said third gear to permit it to be moved automatically by the starting of said motor into a position in which it is in mesh with both said first and second gears, and a yieldable member tending to hold said third gear in its normal position and positioned to become sub-. stantially inoperative after the first portion of the movement of said gear.

6. In engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear having an axial member, and a mounting for said third ggir provided with slots in which. said axial member rests, said slots being formed to mount said third gear in engagement with said second gear and out of engagement with said first gear when said axial member is adjacent one end thereof, and to mount said third gear in a position in which it is in mesh with both said first and second gears when said axial member is in a position adjacent the opposite ends of said slots.

' 7. In engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said' starting motor, a third gear having an axial member, and a mounting for said third gear provided with slots in which said axial member rests, said slots being formed to mount said third gear in engagement with said second gear and out of engagement with said first gear when said axial member is adjacent one end thereof, and tomount said third gear in a position in which it is in mesh with both said first and second gears when said axial member in a position adjacent the opposite ends of said slots, said mounting being secured to the head ofsaid" motor.

8. In engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear outwardly-oil'- set from said first gear and adapted to be thrown by said second gear laterally into a position in which it meshes with both said first and second gears, and means adapted to co-act with said gear and so formed that in the event of the teeth of said third gear --tending tojam against the teeth of said first gear it will provide to said third gear a path for a jam-relievingmovement where by it rolls into mesh with said first gear.

9. In engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear,'an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven .from said starting motor, a third gear outwardly oftset from said first gear and normally out of mesh therewith and in engagement with said second gear, and means mounting said third gear to *permit it to move in a predetermined path laterally into meshwith said first gear and to move into mesh along another path upon its teeth tending to jam against those of said first gear.

10. in engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear outwardly oil'- set from said-first gear and normally out of mesh therewith and in engagement with said second gear, said gearbeing provided with sneeaaec bination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear outwardly ofi'- set from said first gear and normally out of mesh therewith and in engagement with said second gear, said gear being provided with a projecting part, and mounting means for said third gear comprisinga slot within which said part upon said third gear rests and along which it may move into a position in which it is in mesh with both said first and second gears, said slot being rounded at each end to form a bearing for said third gear and being broadened intermediate its ends to permit sidewise movement of said third gear with respect thereto.

12. In engine starting apparatus, in conibination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gear normally in connection with said second gear and outwardly ofiiset from and out of mesh with said first gear, an axial member extending through said third gear, and means mounting said axial member to ermit either end thereof to be moved in ependently, said third gear with its axial member being symmetrically formed with respect to its "central transverse plane whereby it is evenly moved by said second gear'toward meshing position with said first gear upon said motor being started in'a predetermined direction.

13. In engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear, an auxiliary starting -motor, a gear driven from said starting motor, a third gearoutwardly ofi set from said first gear and normally out of mesh therewith and in engagement with said. second gear, means mounting said third gear whereby upon said motor being. started said third gear is moved bodily because of its inertia and consequent resistance against starting to rotate and is thrown into mesh with said first gear, and means adapted to cushion the stoppage of the meshing movement of said third gear, said last means being substantially out of operative relation to said third gear during the first portion of the movement thereof. I

14. engine starting apparatus, in combination, an engine driven gear. an auxiliary starting motor, a gear normally outwardly spaced from said engine gear, and means actuated from said motor adapted upon said motor being started to rotate said gear, and means adapted to utilize the inertia of said ear and its consequent resistance to startmg to rotate in rolling it into mesh with said engine gear, said means being shaped to permit said gear to deviate. from its nor mal path of movement upon tending to jam against the teeth of said engine gear.

15. An automatic drive for starting a heat engine including in combination a starting pinion, a gear of a heat engine rotatable thereby, a floating gear for transmitting rotational movement from the pinion to the first mentioned gear, and a supporting member upon which said floating gear is slidably mounted, said member being so arranged that said starting pinion will cause said floating gear to slide thereon laterally and radially into engagement with the heat engine gear for starting said heat engine, and so arranged that said heat engine gear when started will automatically disengage said floating gear and cause it to slide back on said member out of engagement therewith.

16. An automatic drive including in com-' bination a starting pinion, a gear of a heat engine rotatable thereby, a floating gear for transmitting rotational movement from the pinion to the first mentioned gear, a supporting member for shdably supporting said floating gear and mounted adjacent said pinion and said first mentioned gear, where by said starting pinion will cause said floating gear to slide laterally and radially into mesh with said heat engine gear, and yielding means mounted on said member for limiting the movement of said gear thereon.

17. An automatic drive including in combination a starting pinion, a gear of a heat engine rotatable thereby, a floating gear for transmitting rotational movement from the pinion to the first mentioned gear, and means for carrying said floating gear whereby it will loosely engage said pinion whereby it will be free to disengage itself from facing the teeth of said first mentioned gear.

18. In automatic starting apparatus for an internal combustion eng1ne,in combination, a motor-driven rotary driving member,

a rotary power-transmitting member on the engine, an intermediate rotary ower-trans-- mitting member normally out o engagement with said engine member, and means mounting said intermediate member to adapt it adapt it to move about a variable radius with respect to the axis of said first rotary member into power-transmitting relation between said rotary means upon the motor being started, said last means comprising a pair of supporting members respectively on opposite sides of said intermediate member.

20. In automatic starting apparatus for an internal combustion engine, in combination, a motor-driven rotary driving member, a rotary power-transmitting member on the engine, an intermediate rotary power-transmitting member normally free from said engine member, and supporting means comprising a pair of members respectively on opposite sides of said intermediate member adapted to guide said intermediate member into power-transmitting relation by said first and second rotary members, each of said several rotary members being provided on its outer surface with projecting parts adapted to intermesh with the others, and said intermediate member having a connection with said supporting members adapted to permit relative rotary and bodily movement thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 9th day of January, 1920.

HAROLD FENDER. 

